Hugo: Where Elephants Roam and Circus Heritage Lives

Place: Hugo, Oklahoma

🐘 Up Close with Elephants at the Endangered Ark Foundation

The highlight of our entire trip? Meeting elephants—up close. At the Endangered Ark Foundation, we not only learned about these gentle giants and their history with the town’s circus roots, we also got to climb onto an observation deck and help give one a bath. Yes, I was grinning the entire time.

We originally discovered Hugo thanks to their annual Open House event in March, which offers trivia, giveaways, interactive demos, and the chance to explore the reserve. It’s pure, feel-good magic—especially for animal lovers.

🐅 Tigers, Trains & Tombstones: Hugo’s Unique Attractions

• Growler Pines Tiger Preserve – Worth every penny for the private presentation and tour. We learned so much and got face-to-fur with these regal animals in a peaceful, respectful environment.

• Showmen’s Rest and Bull Rider’s Reprieve – A cemetery honoring circus performers, with headstones shaped like elephants and tents. It’s touching and delightfully quirky—a perfect reflection of Hugo’s roots.

• Frisco Depot Museum – A charming stop that showcases Hugo’s railroad and circus history. Great for a quick dive into local lore.

• Hugo Lake State Park – For those craving outdoor time, this park offers hiking, fishing, and peaceful camping spots nestled in nature.

🍽️ Where to Eat

• Angie’s Circus City Diner – One of my favorite stops. The circus-themed décor is packed with nostalgia, and the chicken-fried steak did not disappoint.

• Roma Italian Restaurant – Cozy, flavorful, and that complimentary garlic butter bread? Irresistible.

• El Kanelo Mexican Restaurant – We split a pitcher of margaritas and laughed all the way through dinner. Highly recommend for good vibes and even better food.

• Buffalo Grill – Perfect for a hearty brunch or BBQ fix.

🛍️ Where to Shop

• Linda’s Place Florist & Gifts – A homey, heartfelt spot full of curated gifts and small-town warmth.

• Best Friends Closet – Thrift lovers, rejoice!

• 1204 Treasure Trove – For antique lovers, this shop is full of fun surprises.

🏡 Where to Stay

• Buffalo Trails Cabins – This place was a blast. Each cabin has its own theme, and we loved the extras like the petting zoo, porch swings, corn hole, and even the option to book a foam party. It was cozy, silly, and just the right kind of offbeat fun.

• Elephant Cabin Rentals – You can stay right near the elephants, and yes—breakfast delivery by elephant is a thing.

• Holiday Motel & HiWay Inn Express – Solid, comfy options for anyone sticking to a tighter budget.

• Choctaw Casino - Grant – If you’re in the mood for a little excitement and live entertainment, the casino just 10 minutes south adds a fun twist to your stay.

🎪 Final Thoughts

Hugo might be off the beaten path but its blend of history, wildlife, and natural beauty makes it a destination worth exploring. The Endangered Ark Foundation has an annual open house in March. Event guests have the opportunity to roam around the different areas on the reserve to meet the herd, participate in fun interactive trivia stations, enter door prizes/giveaways and watch fun educational demonstrations. You can check out their Facebook page for more information. This event is how I discovered this neat little town and our private tour at Growler Pines Tiger Sanctuary as well as our fun stay at the Buffalo Trails Cabins made our weekend road trip an experience we will never forget!

We came for the elephants and left with a pocket full of memories, a phone full of photos, and plans to return.